Choosing a Non-Traditional School has been Challenging

Meet our Sweet Everly! She’s our firecracker and 100% fits the middle child description, which I absolutely adore her independence.

Her preschool placement has been a tough decision over the past couple of months. We know there’s no right or wrong choice, it’s just deciding what works best for you and your family at that time. And at this time…

Our school district offers a public Montessori program from 3k - 3rd grade with 4th & 5th grade helping the children transition to traditional school. If you are zoned for our county school district and then you have may apply to the Montessori Choice Programs, where you await a lottery process.

A quick Google search highlights that “In traditional classrooms, students follow the same lessons — leaving some children behind while others pull ahead. In Montessori classrooms, students challenge themselves when they're ready, developing greater self-sufficiency and personal independence, and building an internal sense of purpose and motivation.”

So we were very excited that both of our older Bolick Babes were awarded a lottery slot to 3k and kindergarten. Now to be honest, I was THAT mom.

• I registered the kids the day the lottery opened

• I took required paperwork to the school to ensure everything was received to be considered (they told me to wait to see if accepted)

• I called the school checking the status of my children’s application.

One thing I learned working in youth sports was to ensure you’re an advocate for your child. You can be respectfully known without causing a scene.

But here’s the thing. When I tell people we have chosen this route over traditional elementary school, they tend to look at me like I have 3 heads or respond with, “well, you’ll have very independent children.” 😖

We decided to give it a try instead of wondering “what if.” We’re very eager for the Bolick Babes to have an opportunity to simply give Montessori a try.